The Israel national team is currently meeting the Slovenian national team at the Bonifika Arena in Koper for the second match of the 2025 European Championship qualifiers. Israel comes to the game after a 70:72 away victory over the Portuguese national team on Thursday, while Slovenia beat Ukraine at home in a more convincing manner, 73:87.
The team arrived in Slovenia without Roman Sorkin who injured his knee in the previous game and returned to Israel.
Ariel Beit HaLahami has 12 players at his disposal, but the front line is particularly sparse and includes only Tomer Ginat, Nimrod Levy and Iti Segev, with Oz Blazer and Nathanel Artzi trying to back up in the forward positions.
The team rejected the possibility of sending a player from Israel to the game.
Outside the hall gathered a handful of people demonstrating against Israel and waving Palestinian flags, as well as signs that read: "Stop the Genocide" and "Save Palestine."
Not an easy challenge.
Israel National Team/Official website, Basketball Association
Israel knows that the Slovenians are of course the favorites, even though they are playing without their huge star Luka Doncic.
However, following the victory over Portugal that took some of the pressure off Israel, the professional team hopes that the players will arrive more relaxed for the game, which is considered the most difficult at home.
As a reminder, Israel was placed in a house where three national teams out of four advance to the next stage.
The fourth team, as mentioned, is Ukraine.
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